- £2.2m funding awarded to Aston University by Phase 2 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
- Public sector being supported in taking a whole building approach to decarbonisation
- Aston University projects will save around 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
Aston University has been successful in its bid for a government grant of over £2 million to reduce its carbon emissions.
The £2.2m funding has been awarded by the Phase 2 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) managed on behalf of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) by delivery partner Salix Finance.
The scheme supports the public sector in taking a 'whole building' approach to decarbonising their estates. It puts the sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK, placing it in a leadership role to create exemplar projects in communities that pave the way to help the country meet its carbon budgets and net zero commitments.
The grant funding secured by Aston University will be invested in a variety of carbon reduction projects including:
- moving away from gas boilers to low carbon alternative technologies in its main building and Aston Business School
- replacing lights with LED technology in its Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) building, the university library and sports centre
- installing solar PV systems on Woodcock Sports Centre
- expanding the PV system on its students’ union building
- installing smarter controls on ventilation systems
- installing ‘free cooling’ systems in two of its IT data centres.
Andrew Bryers, sustainability manager at Aston University, said:
“One of the greatest challenges today in meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target is decarbonising the way buildings are heated. In fact, most of the buildings in the public sector still rely on fossil fuel-based heating and as these heating systems approach the end of their working lives it is an ideal opportunity to transition to low carbon heating.”
“The projects that we are investing in at Aston University are expected to save in the region of 2.2 million kWh annually, which will save around 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.”
- Notes To Editors
Salix Finance Ltd is a delivery partner for this project and provides Government funding to the public sector to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills. Salix is a non-departmental public body, owned wholly by Government. Salix is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Education, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.
Salix is currently delivering all allocated funding for Phases 1 and 2 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and whilst all English funding is allocated under these schemes, there is funding available for Scotland & Wales.
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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